GM Social Enterprise Summit - Andy Burnham supports new vision for social enterprise in Greater Manchester

“There is a massive opportunity for social enterprise in Greater Manchester. We are the historic home of social enterprise, and we need to make it right for the 21st century.” Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has supported a new vision for social enterprise in the region at our Greater Manchester Social Enterprise Summit on Thursday 15th November - Social Enterprise Day.

The new vision for social enterprise, developed by the Greater Manchester Social Enterprise Network (GMSEN), in consultation with partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors, aims to continue this tradition by enabling the right conditions for social enterprises to succeed.

Reflecting on Brexit during his speech at the event, the Mayor of Greater Manchester said: “It is important that we stick together in uncertain times. We know where we're going, let us get on with it.

“There is a massive opportunity for social enterprise in Greater Manchester. We are the historic home of social enterprise, and we need to make it right for the 21st century. The best organisations want to be based in places with a purpose, so that's something we need to be communicating to the next generation.

The summit audience ask questions for Andy Burnham

“We don't talk about social enterprise enough but it is of the moment - business being run the right way and giving back to the community. Part of Greater Manchester’s industrial strategy has to be a people strategy, that has a productive economy where the workforce is well looked after.”

Launched at St. Peter’s House in Manchester on Thursday 15th November - Social Enterprise Day - the aim of The Greater Manchester social enterprise vision is to create a new wave of ethical and socially responsible business across Greater Manchester that will result in a more inclusive, diverse and vibrant economy across the region. It marks the start of a process of engagement and discussion around the actions needed to deliver the vision, such as addressing limited access to financial and business support and a lack of awareness and visibility of social enterprise.

Dynamic Support offer samples of their catering in the marketplace at the summit.

“I am absolutely confident that the best days of Greater Manchester lie ahead of us”, the Mayor of Greater Manchester added. “In the next 10 years, a lot of positive change is going to happen. That will be by people taking positive inspiration from what is happening around them rather than direction from Westminster."

The Summit, attended by over 150 organisations and 200 people, explored the key role of social enterprise in creating a thriving, inclusive economy in all parts of Greater Manchester, with panel discussions and workshops on topics such as digital innovation and social value.

The event also showcased some of the region’s great diversity of social enterprises, businesses that are addressing social needs, strengthening communities, enhancing culture or helping to protect the environment, including SharpFutures, which has helped over 5,000 young people to access apprenticeships and work experience in the creative, digital and tech sectors, including the BBC and ITV; Wigan’s Abram Ward Community Co-operative, which provides advice, support and training to the local community to help establish social enterprises and community businesses, and 4Lunch, which delivers cookery courses, food business training and catering in Greater Manchester.

In attendance at the event were social enterprises, co-operatives and mutuals that trade for social or environmental benefit; businesses and organisations interested in buying from them or supporting them, and people who are considering starting a business as a social enterprise or mutual - from across the whole of Greater Manchester.

Keep an eye on the GMSEN website for more updates from the summit and information about how to get involved with the vision for social enterprise in Greater Manchester. You can see the vision document here.